Skyfall - 10 stars out of 10

Skyfall - 10 stars out of 10

James Bond is BACK.  After the failure that was “Quantum of Solace,” it is obvious from the onset of Adele's Oscar-winning title music that this film will redeem Daniel Craig’s place in the James Bond legacy.  The story, which finally utilizes the talent of Judi Dench by turning M into a lead role, is fast-paced and unpredictable.  Most of the characters really pop off of the screen, particularly the gorgeous Bérénice Marlohe as Bond-girl Séverine and Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva.  Bardem is one of the most sinister villains in Bond history, through his genius cyberterrorism and by creating the nearly insurmountable challenge of taking down a rogue MI6 mastermind.  Add in Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney and the characters leave a lasting impression.  The action and special effects are top notch with tons of guns and train-top battles, topped off by some really cool booby traps at the end.  Of course, the main draw of any Bond film is the intrigue, and “Skyfall” is no exception.  With sophisticated dialogue and a few jaw-dropping surprises, your curiosity will be engaged until the final resolution (and inevitable set-up for a sequel).  The entire film then comes together with a fitting score by Thomas Newman as this modern story meets the traditional Bond theme.  While “Quantum of Solace” left the future of the James Bond franchise in question, “Skyfall” is a reminder of how epic the world’s most famous agent can be.